Downtown Worcester gets movie makeover

Friday

Apr 12, 2013 at 9:00 AMApr 12, 2013 at 5:33 PM

By Linda Bock TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

Movie crews were busy yesterday disguising downtown Worcester as 1970s New York City. A Studio 54 sign - or at least a replica of the one that hung outside the famous nightclub - has been installed just off Main Street on a Mechanics Street building. Honey Dew Donuts in Harrington Corner now looks like an off-track betting joint. And across the street, the front of the WCCA-TV 13 building is starting to resemble a cinema, with white marquee signs put in place this morning.

Crews worked in raw weather today to create the movie magic.

Hollywood stars and production crews descended in full force on the city this week. Director David O. Russell and a lineup of stars, among them Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence and Jeremy Renner, are filming scenes at various locations in the city. Filming took place on Millbury Street yesterday and is expected to shift to downtown in the coming days.

The film crew, which is shooting in and around Boston, is working on a 1970s-era story about gambling officials who bribed New Jersey authorities to get a gaming license.

"My customers are excited," said Al Patel, manager of the Honey Dew Donuts, 426 Main St. "I'm excited."

Mr. Patel said someone representing the movie approached him and other Main Street business owners about a month ago to see if they would agree to have crews remake the facades of their businesses to make them resemble those in New York City in the 1970s.

"Now they're painting it green" Mr. Patel said pointing to painters working on the outside of his shop.

Mr. Patel and his wife, Jessica Patel, have been fielding a stream of questions from their customers in recent days. Not everyone was aware that a movie was in the works. Some customers asked if the doughnut shop was turning into a betting establishment.

A few doors down, Zach Photakis, owner of The Owl Shop, 416 Main St., is happy his existing sign - dating to 1946 - will make the cut. Crews told him his neon sign will stay because it is "period correct." An attached LED sign will be covered for the movie.

"We're going to stay because we're rather antiquated," Mr. Photakis said. "We've been on Main Street for 67 years and in this location for 47 years."

Mr. Photakis and many other business owners are anticipating filming on Monday. But the schedule could change. He hopes all the movie buzz will bring people downtown.

"Hopefully those union guys like cigars to go with their coffees," Mr. Photakis said.

Earlier this week, A-listers Lawrence, Bale and Renner were on scene at Nick's Bar and Restaurant at 154 Millbury St. Stars Robert DeNiro, Bradley Cooper and Amy Adams will also be in the yet-to-be-named film.

On Main Street today, crews installed an old-fashioned clock at Commerce Bank at Main and Pearl streets. A number of people along Main Street snapped pictures with their cell phones.

Tracy Petursson, manager of Spoodles Deli, 358 Main St., watched as crews began to bring heavy equipment to position their "new" sign in front of his storefront window.

Spoodles owner John Starfas said he and other business owners signed contracts and insurance forms a few weeks ago. He said every business on the street is getting at least $500 - and some notoriety.

"It will bring business I think," Mr. Starfas said. "There is a certain buzz in the air, and I think the movie will be good for downtown."

As some crews worked to install temporary signs at some businesses, others removed modern signs. The large Venue Nigh Club was taken down at 336 Main St. while inside windows were blacked out.

Huge lighting systems were moved into strategic places on Main Street and side streets.

"I like to see downtown with all the hustle and bustle," said Michael Shack, one of the owners of Shack's, 403 Main St.

He said his men shop's potential name is International Men's Clothing.

Filming is expected to continue into next week, but movie producers have been quiet about the specific schedule and how long the big stars will be in Worcester.

"It's all been really exciting," said Brunilda Gramo, one of the owners of Woosta Pizza, 407 Main St., "That's all people are talking about."

Woosta Pizza's temporary stage name is Prince Burger and Sandwiches. That new sign is up, and the familiar Woosta Pizza sign is scheduled to be removed soon.

"It's not something you see every day," said Joe Dayter of Auburn, as he and a friend spent the morning checking out some of the sights on Main Street. "I hope we're walking around when they're filming.."